Where? When? Why?

Founded by Brendan Walsh in 2003, The Maynooth Guitar Orchestra is the only regularly performing, large guitar ensemble in Ireland . The group contribute to a small but growing repertoire; this is evident in the orchestra only performing its own arrangements or pieces arranged in relation to the group. Promotion of new music is a very important feature to the orchestra; it has been fortunate to have many works composed for it. Established composers, such as, Martin O'Leary and Victor Lazzarini, have had several pieces premiered by the orchestra. Apart from established composers, there have been numerous pieces, many of which were premiers, contributed by younger composers. The orchestra feels no limits to what it plays with the endeavour to play great music being its ultimate aim. Some concert programmes have seen the orchestra feature music from John Dowland to Jimi Hendrix, Haydn to Thin Lizzy, Mozart to Traditional Irish Tunes and Shostakovich to Radiohead.

Since the group began it has constantly been growing in size and ambition. Most notable achievements/projects to date are as follows:

In 2006 the Maynooth Guitar Orchestra with the Basel Youth Orchestra premiered a piece titled ‘Seanachai' by Brendan Walsh. Seanachai incorporated the Guitar Orchestra into a Symphonic Orchestra; one section of ten guitarists played along side the first violin section and the second section of ten guitarists played along side the cellists. The same year the Group invited the well-established Guitar Orchestra ‘GuitArt' and the stunning Zoo Guitar Duo (Peter Constant and Marion Schaap) to come to Maynooth. The ‘GuitArt' director is Helmut Oesterreich, one of the most experienced guitar ensemble directors around. He is commonly known for his work with the ‘World Guitar Ensemble'. This visit was a great opportunity for the Maynooth Orchestra to see how another Guitar Orchestra works. Much was learnt through the GuitArt/Zoo Guitar Duo concert and composition seminar during the visit.

In 2007 the group invited world-renowned and award winning guitarist Frank Bungarten to give a concert that was followed by an eye-opening ensemble master-class.

March 2007 saw the group invited to play in the ‘Chord' international music festival, directed by Michael O'Toole. The ‘Chord' festival featured the highly-acclaimed, John Williams among other important musicians.

The group has committed themselves to promoting the classical guitar and its context in an ensemble through its many workshops in secondary schools throughout the country. In such a short space of time the Maynooth guitar orchestra have developed into one of Irelands most original music ensembles. Those interested in sharing any ideas or scores, or who are just looking for more info, should contact the group via email...

website text edited by John Greaney